Spurs boss Martin Jol is a long-time admirer of the 22-year-old, who starred
in his country's 4-0 friendly demolition of Greece last week.

However Boro, who rejected a £6million bid from the Londoners last summer and
have repeatedly told them to forget making another, are aware of reports
suggesting a renewed approach is imminent.

But with just nine days of the summer transfer window remaining, Southgate,
who will send his side out against Barclays Premiership champions Chelsea
tomorrow night looking for a first league win as manager, is ready to fight for
one of his most influential players.

Southgate said: 'I think Stewart knows how much I think of him and how much
we as a club think of him.

'But it's difficult for me to comment on something that is fabrication, as
far as I am aware, because I have had no contact from anybody about any of our
players.

'It's speculation, as far as I am aware.'

It was Downing who gave Southgate a good start to his Premiership management
career when he fired Boro into an early lead at Reading at the weekend.

The Teessiders eventually squandered a 2-0 advantage to lose 3-2 at the
Madejski Stadium, but the manager saw enough evidence to assure him that the
speculation is not troubling his talented midfielder.

Southgate said: 'When I look at the goal he scored on Saturday and how
influential he was in that spell when we were doing very well, then no.

'He is very focussed on what he wants to do. I am sure if he had any
concerns, he would come to see me. He knows how much I think of him.

'The only slightly disappointing thing is that, as far as I am aware, it's a
story without any truth. I am almost loathe to give it credibility because I
have not heard anything about it.'

Sadly for Boro, Southgate has also heard little on his bid to bring Manchester
City defender Sylvain Distin to the Riverside Stadium, although despite a
failure to agree personal terms with the Frenchman, he insists talks are
ongoing.

He said: 'The situation has not changed. We are still in agreement with
Manchester City - the fee has not changed, so that side of it is no different -
and we are still in discussions with the player.'